In response to the tragic incident involving flight AI171 on June 12, Air India has announced several operational adjustments aimed at enhancing safety and supporting affected families. The airline expressed its deepest condolences to those impacted by the incident, which resulted in the loss of passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground.
Safety Measures and Inspections
Since the tragedy, Air India has been in constant communication with relevant authorities and has committed to providing all possible support to the families affected. Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal emphasized that safety has always been a priority for the airline, noting that the involved Boeing 787 aircraft was well-maintained with thorough inspections conducted prior to the incident.
In collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India has initiated comprehensive safety checks across its fleet. To date, 26 out of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft have successfully passed these inspections, while the remaining aircraft are undergoing planned maintenance. Additionally, safety checks are being extended to the Boeing 777 fleet as a precautionary measure.
Flight Schedule Adjustments
As a result of the necessary safety reviews, Air India has temporarily reduced its international widebody flights by approximately 15% from June 21 to July 15. The following routes have been affected:
North America:
- Delhi-Toronto: Reduced from 13 to 7 flights weekly.
- Delhi-San Francisco: Reduced from 10 to 7 flights weekly.
- Delhi-Chicago: Reduced from 7 to 3 flights weekly.
- Delhi-Washington (Dulles): Reduced from 5 to 3 flights weekly.
Europe:
- Delhi-London (Heathrow): Reduced from 24 to 22 flights weekly.
- Delhi-Paris: Reduced from 14 to 12 flights weekly.
- Delhi-Milan: Reduced from 7 to 4 flights weekly.
- Delhi-Amsterdam: Reduced from 7 to 5 flights weekly.
Australia:
- Delhi-Melbourne: Reduced from 7 to 5 flights weekly.
Far East:
- Delhi-Tokyo (Haneda): Reduced from 7 to 6 flights weekly.
- Delhi-Seoul (Incheon): Reduced from 5 to 4 flights weekly.
Options for Affected Passengers
For passengers affected by these changes, Air India is offering several options:
- Rebooking on alternate flights at no extra charge.
- Rescheduling without penalty.
- Full refunds for those who choose to cancel their travel plans.
Air India remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and service, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support from its travel partners and customers. For further assistance, travel partners are encouraged to contact the Air India Sales Team and review the airline’s IRROPS Policy for additional details.